The dbx 676 employs a high-gain, Class A tube preamp section based around a 12AU7 vacuum tube that can be adjusted to be clean and pure-sounding or dirty and full of harmonic character. The 676 incorporates the Compressor/Limiter design from the highly sought-after dbx 162SL and a 3-band parametric EQ, enabling exacting control of dynamics and tonal balance.

“Whether you need a preamp that provides pristine, rich sound quality and tube warmth, want to add some edge and personality to vocals and instruments or are seeking to improve the sound of your recording or live rig, the dbx 676 is the ideal tool for taking your sound to the highest level,” stated Jason Kunz, Market Manager, Portable PA and Recording & Broadcast, HARMAN Signal Processing.

The dbx 676 offers ¼-inch and XLR inputs and outputs, a front-panel instrument input and a side chain insert. An optional digital output card is available. The 676 allows for precise tailoring of input and output levels, which can be monitored by its large multi-function VU meter.

The compressor/limiter section provides extremely flexible control of dynamics including threshold, attack, gain and release, auto attack and release, hard and soft knee compression, dbx-exclusive AutoVelocity™ manual and OverEasy® modes and PeakStop™ limiting algorithm and many additional functions. The 676’s 3-band parametric EQ allows adjustment of level and bandwidth at frequencies that have been carefully chosen for maximum musical effectiveness.

The dbx 676 Tube Mic Pre Channel Strip has a U.S. street price of $999.95.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets premier audio, visual, infotainment and enterprise automation solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, the Company is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 17,600 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $5.9 billion during the last 12 months ended December 31, 2014.

The dbx 560A Compressor/Limiter provides flexible control of dynamics including threshold, compression ratio and output gain. It offers selectable classic hard-knee compression or exclusive OverEasy® mode incorporating dbx’s highly musical program-dependent attack and release times. The compression ratio is variable from 1:1 through infinity:1 to -1:1 and the 560A also has a unique Infinity+ compression mode using negative ratios. Adjustment is easy thanks to the 560A’s ladder-style LED RMS gain-reduction and input/output meter displays with true RMS level detection.

Based on the classic dbx 905, the dbx 530 Parametric EQ is a 3-band parametric equalizer with selectable bell or shelf-type filters on the low- and high-frequency bands, and adjustable Q on each band. The dbx 530 allows adjustment of level and bandwidth at frequencies that have been carefully chosen for maximum musical effectiveness.

Great studio sound starts with a great mic preamp – and the dbx 580 Mic Pre is designed to deliver pristine audio quality with exceptional clarity, nuance and presence. Its custom-designed, premium ultra-low-noise mic preamp circuitry provides up to 60dB of gain and can accommodate mic or line-level signals. Controls for Gain, Low Cut, High Detail, Low Detail and Polarity Invert allow precise sonic tailoring and the large analog VU meter combines old school visual appeal with accurate level indication.

The dbx 520 De-Esser is remarkably effective at removing sibilance from vocals for smooth, professional-quality recordings. Taking its heritage from the acclaimed dbx 902, the 520 has a frequency control range from 800Hz to 8kHz and provides de-essing ranging from 0dB to 20dB. Its gain reduction metering provides at-a-glance indication of the amount of de-essing applied.

The dbx 510 Sub Harmonic Synth enhances any recording with deep, powerful bass an octave lower than the original signal. Whether it’s used for adding low-frequency impact to an entire track or beefing up an electric bass, synthesizer, bass drum or other instrument, the dbx 510 adds the subterranean punch today’s producers, musicians and listeners demand. The 510 includes a low-frequency boost, subharmonic level and frequency range controls.

“Our 500 Series processors bring renowned dbx signal processing to a smaller footprint than ever before while delivering the signature sound quality engineers, producers and musicians know they can rely on from dbx,” said Jason Kunz, Market Manager, Portable PA and Recording & Broadcast at HARMAN Signal Processing. “In addition to taking up little real estate, they’re extremely simple to use yet provide the sound-tailoring flexibility needed to create the perfect track or final mix.”

Pricing for the dbx 500 Series Lunch Box processors is as follows: 560A Compressor/Limiter, $399; 530 Parametric EQ, $399; 580 Mic Pre, $499; 520 De-Esser, $299; 510 Sub Harmonic Synth, $299. The 560A will be the first product in the series to ship available in April 2015, with the others following soon after.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets premier audio, visual, infotainment and enterprise automation solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson ® and Revel®, the Company is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 16,600 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $5.6 billion for the 12 months ended September 30, 2014.

ANAHEIM, California – At NAMM 2015, HARMAN’s dbx announced the introduction of its DriveRack VENU360 Loudspeaker Management System, which enables a live or installed sound speaker system to be precisely optimized for the best-possible sound quality. Successor to the industry-standard DriveRack 260, the new VENU360 adds a host of additional features including mobile device control, additional input channels, improved DSP and easier operation.

“The DriveRack VENU360 provides a level of loudspeaker tuning that’s far beyond anything previously available,” said Jason Kunz, Market Manager, Portable PA and Recording & Broadcast. “The result is sound systems that simply sound better, with the major advantage of having complete control of the VENU360 from a laptop, tablet or even a smartphone.”

Connecting a dbx RTA-M measurement microphone (sold separately) to the front-panel RTA mic input allows dbx’s proprietary Level Assist and AutoEQ algorithms to be utilized, for automatic, precise system balancing and equalization of the loudspeakers within the venue, for a smoother, more accurate system frequency response. Since AutoEQ is now located in the output processing stage, independent sections of a system can be equalized automatically. This allows AutoEQ to be used on the FOH system as well as the stage monitors, zones and tower delays!

The DriveRack VENU360 can be set up and operated from a compatible iOS, Android, Windows or Macintosh device via an easy-to-use app and a standard Wi-Fi router connected to the rear-panel Ethernet port. The VENU360 also has a front-panel LCD display with on-screen “map”-style navigation and input and output meters and mutes for system setup and monitoring.

An improved automated Wizard setup utility now supports stage monitors, making setup of an entire sound system fast, easy and precise. The dbx Wizard automatically configures hundreds of audio parameters with the push of a few buttons, with no previous audio experience required. Among the Wizard’s many functions are Level Assist, AutoEQ, AFS and built-in speaker and amp tunings for JBL loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers and many more. Up to 75 user configurations can be saved, eliminating the need to enter the same system or venue settings over and over again.

The dbx VENU360 provides balanced XLR analog and AES digital inputs for connection to a mixer, with support for mono, stereo, LCR and aux-fed sub configurations. Six balanced XLR outputs can be configured for PA system front of house, stage monitors, delay towers, zones and more. The VENU360 is also compatible with BSS Audio Contrio Ethernet wall controllers. Future firmware updates can be made via the USB port and firmware update utility.

The dbx DriveRack VENU360 will be available in April 2015 at a suggested price of $799.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets premier audio, visual, infotainment and enterprise automation solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, the Company is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 16,600 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $5.6 billion for the 12 months ended September 30, 2014.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – HARMAN’s dbx is now shipping its AFS2 Advanced Feedback Suppression Processor, designed to completely eliminate feedback from a PA system. The AFS2 is ideal for bands, DJs, live sound and fixed installation applications and offers a host of upgraded features including a Wizard auto-setup function, a completely re-designed Advanced Feedback Suppression module, and a large LCD display.

Successor to the popular AFS224, the AFS2 provides state-of-the-art feedback elimination, yet is simple to use, thanks to its one-button Wizard function that automates key setup parameters and walks the user through the configuration process. The AFS2 offers a full LCD display and 24 LED meters per channel for setup and monitoring. The AFS2 can be added to a system in minutes, thanks to its easy rear-panel connectivity and its optimized front panel .

The AFS2’s all-new DSP module takes dbx Advanced Feedback Suppression (AFS™) to an entirely new level. This new module provides for faster and more focused filter sets in both fixed and live mode. While 10- and 12-filter feedback-elimination processors are commonplace, the dedicated processor in the AFS2 provides up to 24 programmable filters per channel with filter Qs up to 1/80 of an octave. This level of extreme precision, previously available only in high-end processors, enables the AFS2 to zero in on the exact frequencies needed to attenuate feedback.

“The AFS2 is ideal for installs and live performances where feedback can be one of the most difficult things to deal with when setting up a PA system,” said Jason Kunz, Market Manager, Portable PA and Recording & Broadcast at HARMAN Signal Processing. “The AFS2 is simple to use, yet powerful and flexible enough for elaborate large-scale live sound systems.”

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets premier audio, visual, infotainment and enterprise automation solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson ® and Revel®, the Company is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 16,600 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $5.6 billion for the 12 months ended September 30, 2014.

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – While working as a Senior Manager of Product Development for event production company JHE Production Group, Greg Smith channels much of his professional expertise into his passion for audio production at his home studio. Having enjoyed great success before with HARMAN equipment during his professional career, he recently acquired Soundcraft, JBL, AKG, Lexicon and dbx products to mix and produce events in his own community.

“Since I work with a lot of the HARMAN equipment at my company, I am proficient enough to manage the sound for local shows and events,” said Smith. “I love the long faders on the Si Performer 1, and I really enjoy using Soundcraft FaderGlow™ feature, because 90 percent of the time we’re working in the dark and it’s nice to be able to glance over my settings quickly.”

“As for the PA system, the JBL PRX700 Series gives me the most bang for the buck,” said Smith. “Having used the original PRX series, I’ve noticed that these loudspeakers can work through everything including extreme weather conditions and temperatures. Not only will they survive the conditions, they sound absolutely amazing.”

Growing up, Smith mixed sound and music in high school as well as plays and shows on the weekends. He deepened his knowledge of audio engineering over time and also broadened it with experience in multiple settings, including an aircraft carrier during overseas deployments. Currently, his professional work entails the design of framework and structural engineering plans for a variety of event venues.

“I’m old-school, and I like to operate on a more detailed scale than just highs, lows and mids,” said Smith. “I got the dbx optimizer and equalizer so that I can manage my cutoffs and see the numbers 10, 20, 30 all across the entire spectrum. I want it very tight and clear, and this is the only way to do it with my budget.”

When asked what drove him to invest in a personal HARMAN Professional inventory, Smith said: “I’m extremely passionate about my work and decided that for my hobby, I would like to continue using long-lasting gear from the HARMAN brands. For example, my Lexicon processor and AKG mics have proven to be almost bulletproof.”

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets premier audio, visual, infotainment and enterprise automation solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson ® and Revel®, the Company is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 16,600 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $5.6 billion for the 12 months ended September 30, 2014.